Welcome to Trident House!

Trident House is truly a welcoming place of healing tranquility, with open space, breath-taking vistas of the Indian River Lagoon and a naval theme reflected throughout the decor and artwork.

This special Sebastian residence is dedicated to those families of U.S. Navy SEALs and other Special Operation Forces who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, or are injured and battle-fatigued. Trident House provides a peaceful and a restful setting for families during their stay in the area, as many often come to memorialize a loved one at the National Navy SEAL Museum on North Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce.

Bill and Teddy Novak generously donated their home to the museum in September 2012. Rick Kaiser who served as an active duty SEAL for 22-years, now leads the team at the museum, and he and his wife Sue immediately put the call out for additional volunteers who got to work and transformed the Novak home into Trident House in only a few short months.

“Between all of us, we have pulled this thing off,” Rick says. “We have had somewhere around 65-people who have stayed here since November 2012. My goal is to get it booked 50 weeks out of the year.”

Sue Kaiser points out, “Mary Claire Dwyer of Mary Claire Design is our designer and decorator, and we greatly appreciate her commitment and dedication to this on-going project!”

Mary Claire smiles. “It is a way for me to give back.”

Mary Clair shares that her father was in naval intelligence in World War II, and her grandfather was Secretary of the Navy from 1935-1952.

“We wanted Trident House to be warm, inviting, relaxing, healing and forgiving,” she explains. “It is very difficult for these families, and we wanted to create an environment that is soothing to their trauma and pain.”

“This is a place where people can come and get their souls back in place,” says Helen Shafer.

When she and her husband Dr. Jim Shafer first heard about the project, they immediately made a financial donation. Helen has since taken on more duties at the House.

“I just volunteered to arrange some flowers and welcoming baskets for the folks when they come in, to make it feel homey,” she says.

“I make sure the house is clean and fully stocked with the supplies our guests may need,” says Cheryl Silvestri. “This is a way for us to pay homage to them for their great sacrifice.”

“That’s the heart of the matter,” agrees Sue, fighting back tears. “We want families just to know that we remember them and care about them - forever. We also do a lot of hand-holding. We don’t leave any family just on their own here. They can have as much or as little support as they want.”

“I think when people leave here, they leave happy,” says Rick. “And they keep in touch. The connections are made.”

To volunteer, make a financial contribution, or donate Navy-themed artwork, furniture and household items, call Rick at (772) 595-5845, ext. 205, or email him at rick@navysealmuseum.com.